Chapter 672 - 674: A Bit Irritable
Chapter 672: Chapter 674: A Bit Irritable
「Back at the Gu Mansion」
Jin Qianqian brought up what happened today.
Ancient Wen Heng said, "Just ignore her from now on. I imagine this was all her own idea. If Governor Liang found out, he definitely wouldn’t approve of her actions."
Jin Qianqian said, "You haven’t been here that long. How can you be so sure?"
"Mr. Cao told me that Governor Liang is a man who loves to follow rules and regulations. He does everything strictly by the book. It’s a trait many people can’t stand, which is actually why he’s managed to hold his position for so long.
"He also sees himself as a very righteous man and disdains making things difficult for others."
Jin Qianqian raised an eyebrow at him. "Couldn’t that just be hearsay? After meeting Lady Liang today, that’s not the impression I got at all."
Ancient Wen Heng said, "This involves their family’s private affairs, so we shouldn’t get too involved.
"It’s said that this Lady Liang was chosen from Lord Liang’s clan and sent over by several of his elders.
"Her wanting our son to become a study companion for her child is just wishful thinking.
"It’s a good thing she didn’t bring it up today, or it would have been very difficult to resolve."
Jin Qianqian glared at him. "That’s only because I cut her off.
"To do it, I had to describe our Luo Luo as a mischievous and scheming child, who you’re currently keeping cooped up at home to study hard.
"If I hadn’t thought ahead and cut her off, she definitely would have brought it up, and it would have put both our families in an awkward position."
She felt a pang of guilt for her son. ’To be saddled with a reputation like that for no good reason, even if I was the one who made it up.’
The thought of having to deal with these people for the next few years was vexing to Jin Qianqian.
The thought of someone scheming against his son infuriated Ancient Wen Heng. But with his wife right there, he had to calm her down first.
"Things will be a bit hectic at first, but after this initial flurry, people will lose interest. The banquets will naturally become less frequent, so please, Madam, just bear with it a little longer.
"If you find you don’t want to deal with them, I can step in and decline the invitations for you."
Jin Qianqian was a little curious. "How would you decline for me?"
Ancient Wen Heng smiled at Gu Ben Can. "We’ll just say this little one is clingy and can’t leave your side for a moment."
Jin Qianqian said, "...Could you be any more childish?"
Ancient Wen Heng laughed. "If you don’t like that excuse, just find any other. Even saying a dog in the mansion just gave birth would be a valid reason."
Jin Qianqian took a deep breath. ’These days, it feels like this father and son are ganging up on me. Everything feels wrong and frustrating.’
She pointed at Ancient Wen Heng angrily. "Can’t you be serious for once? I know I’ve been very irritable lately."
Seeing her genuinely breathing heavily, Ancient Wen Heng started to panic. "I was just joking. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Jin Qianqian was extremely agitated. "No, I’m not! Just... could you soften your voice a little?"
Ancient Wen Heng realized something was wrong. His expression changed instantly. "Someone! Get a doctor, quickly!"
He reached out to support Jin Qianqian, but she slapped his hand away.
"I’m perfectly fine! Why are you calling a doctor?
"It’s all because you’re making me angry! Stop making such a scene."
Ancient Wen Heng was speechless. "..."
Ancient Wen Heng’s mind went blank. ’My wife has never been like this before, no matter how angry she got. What in the world is happening to her?’
"Deep breaths. Come on, breathe in with me... and out..." It was the only solution Ancient Wen Heng could think of at the moment, while he frantically gestured with his eyes to the maids at the side, urging them to hurry and fetch a doctor.
Jin Qianqian reined in her temper and said to Lichun, who was standing nearby, "Take the young master out."
Lichun complied at once. Coaxing Gu Ben Can, she led him out of the room. The moment the door closed, she scooped the boy up and ran toward the front courtyard. "Quick, send for a doctor!"
Spotting a servant on duty up ahead, she shouted, "And send someone to inform Housekeeper Xu!"
Ancient Wen Heng watched Jin Qianqian with concern, his mind racing. ’Could it be a problem with those mushrooms we ate tonight?’
’I’ve always heard that some mushrooms can cause hallucinations. Could she have accidentally eaten one?’
The more Ancient Wen Heng thought about it, the more unnerved he became. His hands even began to tremble.
"Darling? My love? Do you still know who I am?" Ancient Wen Heng asked cautiously.
"Aren’t you annoying? There’s nothing wrong with me, I just feel a bit stifled, that’s all." Jin Qianqian rolled her eyes, walked straight to the table, picked up a teacup, and gulped down its contents.
She herself could feel that something wasn’t quite right. For a split second, she had an overwhelming urge to lose her temper.
After downing two cups of warm tea, she felt her emotions settle a bit, but there was still a faint tightness in her chest.
She suddenly turned to look at Ancient Wen Heng. "What was I so angry about just now?"
This made Ancient Wen Heng even more worried, but he didn’t let it show on his face. "It was about something unimportant. If you’ve forgotten, just let it be."
"You’re probably just tired from being out all day. I’ll help you get some rest."
Jin Qianqian smiled. "We’re an old married couple, and you’re still so considerate.
"There’s nothing seriously wrong with me. I probably am just tired."
Ancient Wen Heng dismissed the maids and personally began removing the ornaments from her hair. "If you don’t like them, don’t wear so many in the future. They’re so heavy they must be making your head spin."
An image of Lady Cen’s elaborate attire flashed through Jin Qianqian’s mind. "I can’t do that. My accessories are already the plainest and simplest of all the ladies. If I wear any fewer, people will start to think our Gu Mansion has fallen on hard times."
She didn’t enjoy having so much weight on her head either, but when attending social functions, she had to follow the local etiquette.
"Then let’s just have fewer, more valuable pieces made." Ancient Wen Heng wanted to kick himself. ’How did I not think of that sooner?’
"Didn’t you find a case of gemstones from overseas last time? Give them to me later."
Jin Qianqian asked, "Why the sudden interest in those?"
Ancient Wen Heng removed her last earring. "I’ll tell you later."
Jin Qianqian replied, "Then go get them from the storeroom later. Lichun and the others know where they are."
With her hair let down, Ancient Wen Heng stood behind her and began massaging her head. "You’ve had a long day. Why don’t you close your eyes and rest for a bit?"
He carefully observed Jin Qianqian’s complexion, his mind frantically searching for everything he’d ever heard about the various reactions to poisonous mushrooms. The more he thought, the more anxious he became.
When Lichun finally arrived with the doctor in tow, Jin Qianqian looked at Ancient Wen Heng in confusion. "Who is he here to see?"
At this point, Ancient Wen Heng was direct. "You seemed a bit out of sorts, so I asked the doctor to come check your pulse for peace of mind."
"Why check my pulse when I’m perfectly fine?" Jin Qianqian grumbled, but she extended her hand anyway. She, too, had a vague sense that her emotions were off.
After taking her pulse and asking a series of questions, the old doctor stroked his beard and said, "If this old one is not mistaken, you’ve eaten something that has disagreed with you."
"What did she eat today?"
Lichun took half a step forward and recited the day’s menu at the mansion.
"If that is what she ate, then it’s possible.
"Eating a small amount of a certain type of boletus mushroom can cause these kinds of symptoms."